Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Guru Nanak Dev as an inspiration not only to India but also to the whole world.

advertisement

Manjeet Sehgal

Dera Baba Nanak

November 9, 2019

UPDATED: November 9, 2019 22:49 IST

Guru Nanak Dev Ji is not only a Guru, but a philosophy altogether: PM Modi | Photo from PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while inaugurating the much-awaited Kartarpur corridor on Saturday, said that he was feeling blessed like any other Sikh devotee on this historic day as they will now be able to visit the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur Pakistan which a day earlier had to be viewed using a binocular.

Prime Minister Modi also expressed his gratitude to Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan besides others who made this possible.

"I want to thank Pakistan Prime Minister Miya Imran Khan ji as he understood and honoured the feelings of Indians about the Kartarpur Corridor and worked towards its completion," Modi said.

'BLISSFUL BLESSING'

Prime Minister Modi said that the inauguration of the integrated check post (ICP) and the Kartarpur Corridor, on the occasion of 550th Guru Nanak Jayanti, is a blissful blessing which would now ease the travel to Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan.

Prime Minister described Guru Nanak Dev as an inspiration not only to India but also to the whole world.

"Guru Nanak Dev Ji is not only a Guru, but a philosophy altogether, and as a pillar of support for our existence. He taught us the importance of living by true values and also gave an economic system based on honesty and self-confidence," Modi said.

Prime Minister Modi said that Guru Nanak Dev taught equality, brotherhood and unity in the society and that he fought for removing various social evils.

CORRIDOR TO HELP PILGRIMS: MODI

Describing Kartarpur as a holy place filled with the divine aura of Nanak Dev, Prime Minister Modi said that this corridor would help thousands of devotees and pilgrims.

Prime Minister Modi said, "In the past five years, the government is trying to protect the country's rich heritage and culture. And on the occasion of the 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, several programmes are being held across the country and the world through our embassies."

He mentioned that a 750-bed modern hospital was built at Jamnagar in Gujarat in the honour of Guru Gobind Singh.

Prime Minister said, "The Guru Vani is being translated is various world languages to benefit the younger generations with the help of the UNESCO [United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization]."

A SPECIAL TRAIN

Modi said that Sultan Pur Lodhi is being developed as a heritage town and a special train is launched connecting all the important sites linked to Guru Nanak Ji.

Modi said that amongst Sri Akal Takth, Dam Dama Sahib, Tejpur Sahib, Keshgarh Sahib, Patna Sahib and Huzoor Sahib, the train services and air connectivity are being strengthened. And between Amritsar and Nanded, a special flight has begun offering its services. Similarly, on the Air India flight from Amritsar to London, the Ek Omkar message is being played.

SIKH COMMUNITY IN J&K, LEH AND WORLD

Modi said the Union government has taken one more major decision which benefited many Sikh families living all over the world.

"The difficulties faced for several years by many of those living abroad to come to India have been removed. Now many families can apply for visa and OCI [Overseas Citizen of India] cards. They can meet their relatives in India easily and visit the pilgrim centres," PM Modi said.

"Two more decisions of Union government have also helped the Sikh community. One is the removing of Article 370. It would now help the Sikh community in J&K [Jammu and Kashmir] and Leh and they would get the same rights as others citizens of the country. Similarly the Citizenship Amendment Bill will now make it easy for Sikhs to become citizens of the country," Modi said.

UPHOLDING TEACHINGS, VALUES OF GURU NANAK DEV

PM Modi said that from Guru Nanak Dev to Guru Gobind, several spiritual gurus have dedicated their lives for unity and security of India.

"Many Sikhs dedicated their lives for Independence in India. Centre has taken several steps to recognise this," Modi said.

The prime minister mentioned that the Jallianwala Bagh Memorial is being modernised. New focus is on Sikh students to improve their skills and self-employment. In this context, he mentioned that about 27 lakh Sikh students were given scholarships.

Modi on Saturday also called for upholding the teachings and values of Guru Nanak Dev.